Operations

Chevrolet Bolt EV Brimming with Tech

General Motors unveiled its tech-oriented 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), providing additional details about its array of connectivity and autonomous driving features.

The Bolt EV can offer about 200 miles of driving range for around $30,000 after government incentives, in a compact package with interior spaciousness and cargo storage. The car offers 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space by incorporating its battery pack into the vehicle's chassis.

It supports DC fast charging, and offers advanced connectivity such as streaming video to a rearview mirror display, capacitive 10.2-inch dashboard touchscreen, Bluetooth-based system that syncs with a smartphone before the driver reaches the vehicle, dealer service scheduling alerts, carsharing apps, and gamification features so drivers can compare driving styles.

"The Chevrolet Bolt EV delivers on the promise of longer range," said Mary Barra, GM's chairman and CEO. "We see the Bolt EV as more than just a car. It is an upgradeable platform for new technologies."

The Bolt EV will also offer the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone projection interfaces, as well as the MyChevrolet app that connects with a smartphone to provide charging status, mapping, remote start, and the owner's manual. The mapping feature helps drivers locate nearby charging stations.

GM has designed the vehicle with a 102.4-inch wheelbase and wider stance of a compact SUV. GM first showed a concept Bolt EV at the Detroit auto show in 2015.